Imaging of the breast.

A multitude of techniques for imaging and evaluating the breast have been described. Based upon current evidence, thermography does not appear to have any established clinical indications. Computed tomography, ultrasonography, lightscanning, and NMR may be useful as adjuncts to mammography, and further research seems warranted. Mammography remains the "gold standard" in breast imaging, however. Its ability to detect clinically occult disease makes it the superior imaging technique in the breast, and the only technique indicated for screening. In light of the information presented in this article, it is hoped that the trend away from mammography in favor of so-called "noninvasive" breast imaging techniques will be reversed until such time that the efficacy of these other modalities has been proven. A proper process for the evaluation and clinical testing of the newer breast imaging modalities has been defined. Using this as a guideline, it is hoped that the indiscriminate clinical use of unproven techniques will be avoided.